TL;DR
U.S. forces carried out strikes on sites inside Venezuela early Saturday after President Trump approved operations targeting military and other facilities. The Venezuelan government called the actions a serious act of aggression and urged the U.N. Security Council to meet.
What happened
U.S. officials told CBS News that President Trump ordered strikes on locations inside Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday, with reported explosions and low-flying aircraft over Caracas. Venezuelan authorities said the attacks hit both civilian and military sites across Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira and vowed to defend against what they described as an attempt at regime change. U.S. sources said the president had authorized land strikes days earlier and that the operation had been timed around weather windows; military planners had discussed the mission around Christmas. The strikes follow months of a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean that included the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and other warships, the seizure of oil tankers off Venezuela, and strikes on more than 30 vessels the administration says were involved in drug trafficking.
Why it matters
- Represents a major escalation in U.S. pressure on the Maduro government after months of seizures and maritime strikes.
- Raises the risk of broader regional instability given the concentration of U.S. forces in the Caribbean.
- Could complicate international diplomacy, including calls for a U.N. Security Council response by Venezuela.
- May affect maritime commerce and energy flows given recent enforcement actions against oil tankers tied to Venezuela.
Key facts
- U.S. officials said President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities.
- Venezuela reported strikes in Caracas and in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, calling them "very serious military aggression."
- Explosions and a fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, were reported in the early hours of Jan. 3, 2026.
- The president approved the possibility of strikes days before the operation; planners considered weather and operational windows.
- The U.S. has conducted more than 30 strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats since September, which the military says killed over 110 people.
- The U.S. seized at least two oil tankers off Venezuela in December and imposed a blockade on sanctioned oil vessels, according to the reporting.
- About 15,000 U.S. troops and multiple naval vessels, including the USS Gerald R. Ford and several destroyers and cruisers, were reported in the region.
- The Trump administration has designated groups such as Cartel de los Soles and Tren de Aragua as international terrorist organizations tied to drug trafficking.
- Requests for comment from the Pentagon were directed to the White House, per CBS News reporting.
What to watch next
- Whether the U.N. Security Council convenes in response to Venezuela's request (confirmed in the source).
- Updated casualty and damage assessments from the reported strikes (not confirmed in the source).
- Responses from regional governments and international institutions to the U.S. action (not confirmed in the source).
- Any follow-on U.S. military operations or changes in force posture in the Caribbean (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Airstrike: A military attack carried out from aircraft or other airborne platforms against ground or sea targets.
- USS Gerald R. Ford: A U.S. Navy aircraft carrier classed as a nuclear-powered carrier used to project naval air power; the name refers to the lead ship of that class.
- Narco-terrorism: A term used to describe the alleged use of drug trafficking revenues or organizations to fund or carry out violent or terrorist activities.
- U.N. Security Council: The United Nations body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, composed of permanent and rotating member states.
- Blockade: An effort to prevent goods or vessels from entering or leaving a country or area, often implemented by naval or military forces.
Reader FAQ
Did the U.S. confirm it carried out strikes inside Venezuela?
U.S. officials told CBS News that President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela; the Pentagon referred comment to the White House.
Did Venezuela say who carried out the attacks?
Venezuelan authorities condemned the strikes as U.S. military aggression and called for a U.N. Security Council meeting; they did not acknowledge responsibility for any specific details beyond reporting the sites hit.
Were there known casualties from the Venezuela strikes?
Not confirmed in the source.
Has the U.S. previously taken action against Venezuela?
Yes; the reporting notes prior U.S. seizures of oil tankers, strikes on more than 30 alleged drug-smuggling boats, and a broader regional military buildup.
LIVE U.S. launches military strikes on Venezuela as Trump escalates pressure on Maduro regime, sources say By Jennifer Jacobs, Joe Walsh, James LaPorta Updated on: January 3, 2026 / 2:59…
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